Sanding device



P. FARRELL Dec. 3, 1940.

SANDING DEVICE Filed Nov. 5, 1958 TOR , INVEN Patented Dec. 3, 1940 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEv SANDING DEVICE Patrick FarreIL'Irvington, N. J. Application November 3, 1938, Serial No. 2385519 4Claims. (Cl. 291-38 p the sand is to be deposited directly under the r This invention relates'to an improved sanding device to be used onself-propelled vehicles and particularly on automobiles.

The invention is designed to provide a device which includes a receptacle for sand or the like and which is provided with an outlet pipe to deliver the sand in front of a wheel of the vehicle and a valve for controlling the flow of the sand.

The object of the invention is to provide a receptacle for the sand which receptacle can be manipulated tofree or loosen sand that has become caked or hard and thus avoid the necessity of securing a stick or other device for insertion into the bag which latter has heretofore been necessary. Another feature of the invention is a flexible feed pipe for conducting sand from the receptacle, the feed pipe being flexible to provide a means for dislodging any sand that might remain in it and for easy installation in cars of different makes and sizes with a possible difference in the proportion of the parts on which the device is mounted.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a side view of the invention and showing part of an automobile in dotted outline. Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view of the device with the feed tube or pipe broken off. Figure 3 is an enlarged section of the valve used in the device. Figure 4 is a section on line 44 in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing one way of connecting the valves of two devices when used for both wheels of a vehicle.

To illustrate the most common use of the device, I show it on an automobile and arranged to deposit sand, when needed, in front of the rear wheels of the automobile. The device comprises a receptacle ID, a valve II, a feed pipe l2 and means for operating the valve H, in this illustration the means consisting of a rod l3 and pivoted lever M. The operation of the device is accomplished by opening the valve H and allowing sand or the like to flow down through the pipe l2 and be deposited in front of the wheel I5 of the automobile. This occasional use of the device is necessary at times when the roadway is covered with ice or other slippery coating and also in muddy or soft ground. The invention is resident in details which contribute to a more efficient and reliable delivery of sand.

The receptacle is flexible, the valve is constructed to readily release the sand and the flexible tube is adapted for temporary flexing if Wheel.

The receptacle lflis usually-made of a canvas although other loose material or fabric can be used. The bag is suspended by suitable means This is the usual place where to allow a substantially vertical flow of the sand.

A flexible bag is of advantage for the reason that prior to use the bag can be squeezed and manipulated to loosen the sand inside'and make certain that it is not caked. This makes it unnecessary to procure a stick or other tool and poke it into the sand which is the case in fixed or rigid receptacles like boxes. outlet of the bag can also be pushed in and manipulated to distort the sand in the outlet to the valve II. The flexible bag is sharply tapered or usually circular in cross section. The bag is greater in height than in width, and being suspended it facilitates the downward flow of escaping sand and lends itself readily to the squeezing or tapping that enables the operator to quickly and easily dislodge any caked sand contents of the bag.

The valve H is fixed in place, usually on the floor or shelf of the rear compartment and comprises a plate I! with a flange I 8 on the top. The bag is detachably securedto the flange l8 by any suitable means but preferably by a ring l9 secured to the bag and fitting over the flange and with a bayonet lock 20 or other means for fastening the ring and flange together. This connection is also of utility by allowing a partial opening of the lock and a shaking of the bottom of the bag without removing it com-. pletely from the valve. The inside of the flange on one side is inclined as shown at 2 I.

The valve has a movable valve member in the form of a slide 22, yieldingly held in place by the spring or springs 23 secured to the slide and to the plate IT. The slide is connected to the rod l3 by means of which .it is positively operated. The inner end of the slide, when the valve is shut, abuts on the bottom of the inclined bottom or side 2| of the flange l8 and thus serves to close the passage 1'3 through the valve. .On the bottom of the valve is a flange 24 to which is attached the outlet tube or pipe l2. The out- The base or flexible type which can be forcibly bent but remains in its position under normal strains. This allows for its ready installation in an automobile and to be bent into place in various makes of cars in which the dimensions vary slightly. Ariother advantage is that in some instances it is necessary to feed sand directly under the wheel and in this instance the pipe can be bent with:

its outlet directed under the tire.

The normal position however is in 'frontof the wheel where the wheel rests on the. ground and thus feed sand while the car is in motion. This is particularly advantageousin the initial phase of skidding or in moving over ice or slippery places, especially on inclines.

- -'In-thei usual installation two completeunits :are provided, one on each side, but they are operated simultaneously. Ishow across rod 26 inFigure "5 which crossrodpoperates a second rod 21, which is connectedto a second valve and operates simultaneously with the rod. [3.

I'claim: 1 v 1. A sanding device for vehicles comprising a. bag, a pipe for conducting sand from the bag and a valve at the bottom of the bag and closely adjacent thereto, the bag being made of flexible fabric, and means for suspending the bag above the valve whereby the bag can be manually distorted to free any caked contents adjacent the valve.

2. A sanding device for vehicles comprising a freely flexible bag, a pipe for conducting sand from the bag, and a valve at the bottom of the bag and closely adjacent thereto, the bag being sharply tapered and made of flexible fabric, and means for suspending the bag above the valve whereby the bag can be manually distorted to free any caked contents adjacent the valve,the bag including a connection to the valve which connection is readily detachable.

3. A sanding device for vehicles comprising a vertically disposed flexible bag made of readily flexible fabric, a valve for conducting sand from the bottom of the bag, meansfor suspending the bag to allow the bag to be manipulated for the freeing of caked material in the bag, and a ing the bag from a portion of a vehicle to allow the bag to be'manipulated for freeing caked material in the bag, an outlet pipe, and a valve between the outlet of thebag andthe pipe.

PATRICK FARRELL. 

